Family of martyr in Ha Tinh receives notebook kept by US veteran for 56 years

Video : US veteran Peter Mathews visits the family of martyr Cao Van Tuat

On the morning of March 5, at the house of Mr. Ha Huy My (Ky Xuan commune, Ky Anh district, Ha Tinh ), many people gathered to see with their own eyes the guestbook of martyr Cao Van Tuat after 56 years of loss.

Ms. Cao Thi Dieu (85 years old, sister of martyr Tuat) was present at Ha Huy My's house early in the morning to wait for the moment of receiving her younger brother's relics after 56 years of separation. Ms. Dieu's health is weak so she has to move around in a wheelchair.

At nearly 9am on March 5, Mr. Peter Mathews arrived at Mr. Ha Huy My’s home after a journey of more than 13,000 km. He was accompanied by his wife, Ms. Christina Mathews.

Mr. Ha Huy My and the people of Ky Xuan commune welcomed Mr. Mathews with warm hugs and handshakes.

Mr. Mathews and his wife offered incense, placed two dried roses and a souvenir of martyr Tuat.

Mr. Peter Mathews talked with the relatives of martyr Tuat and expressed his joy at fulfilling his wish to return the notebook.

Seeing Tuat's remains after more than half a century of wandering, Mr. My was moved: "My uncle died at a very young age, without a family, leaving no mementos. The notebook is a hope for the family to have a clue to find the martyr's grave,...".

After offering incense at the martyr's family, Mr. Peter Mathews left Mr. Ha Huy My's house and went with the family of martyr Cao Van Tuat to the headquarters of the People's Committee of Ky Xuan commune to attend the ceremony to return the diary.

Veteran Peter Mathews shakes hands with leaders of Ky Xuan Commune People's Committee.

American veterans want the relatives of martyrs to be the first to touch the book.

At the ceremony, Mr. Mathews shared that it had been 56 years since he left the Central Highlands battlefield when he returned to Vietnam. Receiving the warm welcome from the martyrs’ families, he seemed to forget all the fatigue after the long trip.

“I think everyone knows the story of the diary and my wish. Today I have fulfilled my wish. My wish was to return the diary, and today I have done that. This is my mission and duty,” he said.

In addition, Mr. Mathews was impressed with the development, prosperity and peace in Vietnam, a country that was once a war zone.

"My family will preserve and pass it on to future generations. Thank you very much, Mr. Mathews, for preserving the book until today to return it to my family," said Mr. Ha Huy My.

Commemorative gifts from Ky Anh District People's Committee to the American veteran couple.

After receiving the book, Mr. Ha Huy My's family put it in a glass cabinet to preserve and keep.

Previously, VTC News reported on the story of American veteran Peter Mathews, who fought in Vietnam and kept a notebook engraved with the name "Cao Xuan Tuat" (a soldier of the Vietnamese army) for more than half a century.

The above information has attracted the attention of Mr. Tran Nhat Tan, Chairman of the Fatherland Front Committee of Ha Tinh province. After many days of searching for information about the martyr, Mr. Tan and the authorities of Ha Tinh province have identified the owner of the above book as martyr Cao Van Tuat in Cao Thang village, Ky Xuan commune, Ky Anh district.

The American veteran then sent an email to the authorities of Ha Tinh province expressing his wish to go to Vietnam to return the diary of martyr Cao Van Tuat. On March 5, American veteran Peter Mathews went to the home of martyr Cao Van Tuat's relatives to return the diary that had been lost for 56 years.

Source: https://vtc.vn/gia-dinh-liet-si-o-ha-tinh-don-nhan-cuon-so-duoc-cuu-binh-my-cat-giu-56-nam-ar746004.html